Water Birth (Again) (Harriet Hall)Many claims have been made for the benefits of labor and delivery in water; the only claim supported by evidence is a decrease in pain during labor. Underwater birth offers only risks without benefits; it has been compared to giving birth in a toilet, because babies can inhale bacteria-contaminated water.

Chiropractic: A Summary of Concerns (Sam Homola)An up-to-date summary of information about chiropractic by a retired chiropractor. While spinal manipulation has evidence-based uses, the chiropractic “subluxation” is an implausible belief system, and there is no evidence that manipulation benefits any condition other than uncomplicated mechanical-type back pain. Patients who choose chiropractic care should look for a chiropractor who doesn’t subscribe to irrational beliefs.

Bob and I are now published in Skeptical Inquirer (David Gorski)Two articles by Bob Blaskiewicz and David Gorski about the dubious Houston cancer doctor Stanislaw Burzynski were published in Skeptical Inquirer and are now available online. One is a primer on Burzynski, the other offers suggestions about what supporters of science-based medicine can do to protect cancer patients.

Maryland legislature passes naturopathic licensing bill, but with damage control (Jann Bellamy)Maryland has passed a bill giving naturopaths part of what they wanted (licensing and the right to diagnose and treat any patient of any age with any disease or condition) but denying them the right to perform minor office procedures, surgery, colonic irrigation, prescribe drugs, or administer non-prescription remedies (vitamins, minerals, etc.) by transdermal, subcutaneous, or IV routes, or to call themselves “physicians.”

Hickey (Mark Crislip)Cupping is an ancient therapy used to produce “hickeys” at acupuncture points. There is no reason to imagine it could have any effect on disease other than a placebo effect. The only studies showing efficacy are poorly-controlled and only look at subjective endpoints.